Hand-held electronic device

ABSTRACT

A hand-held electronic device with a keyboard, thumbwheel, display and associated software is optimized for use of the device with the thumbs. The associated software has a plurality of features to optimize efficient use of the limited keyboard space and encourage the use of the device by thumb-based data entry through the thumbwheel and/or through a combination of minimal number of keystrokes. Software features include international character scrolling, and auto-capitalization. The keys on the device keyboard are optimally shaped and configured for thumb-based input. In addition, the thumbwheel is inclined between the front and a side edge of the device so as to be reachable by either the thumb or index finger of the user&#39;s hand at the side edge of the device.

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/543,231,entitled “Hand-Held Electronic Device With Auxiliary Input Device,”filed Apr. 5, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Designpatent application Ser. No. 29/108,876, entitled “Hand-Held ElectronicDevice,” filed Aug. 5, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. Des. 433,460, and furtheris a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/344,432, entitled “Hand-Held Electronic Device With A KeyboardOptimized For Use With The Thumbs,” filed Jun. 25, 1999, now U.S. Pat.No. 6,396,482, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/106,585, entitled “Hand-Held Electronic DeviceWith A Keyboard Optimized For Use With The Thumbs,” filed Jun. 29, 1998,now U.S. Pat. No. 6,278,442, which in turn is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/089,942, entitled “Hand-HeldMessaging Device With Keyboard,” filed Jun. 26, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No.Des. 416,256. All earlier-filed applications have been assigned to theassignee of the present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward the field of small, hand-heldelect-Ionic devices such as personal data assistants (PDA's), personalinformation managers (PIM's), two-way pagers and the like, inparticular, the system and method of the present invention provide theuser of the hand-held device with the ability to input data with aminimal amount of key strokes and optimized for use substantially withthe thumbs.

In a two-way paging system that provides two-way, full text messaging,there is a need to permit the user to initiate messages and to respondto messages in a timely fashion and with text entirely created by theuser. In order to keep the form factor of the two-way pager small enoughto be worn on the body of the user, such as with a belt clip, the inputdevice needs to be small, have a minimal number of keys and optimizedfor use with a minimal number of key strokes. Prior art systems haveattempted to address these needs by incorporating virtual keyboards orpen-based input systems for user inputs to the device, but such systemsrequire the user to input data in an unfamiliar manner. Additionally, ina small hand-held messaging device, such as a two-way pager, thesesystems prove awkward to use.

In order to provide a hand-held electronic device that permits a userthe opportunity to enter data into an address book, a calendar, a tasklist, an email message or a similar text file that requiresuser-generated data, the instant invention is directed to an inputdevice that is oriented to be used substantially through use of thethumbs. This is accomplished first by providing a keyboard with aminimal number of keys, but with the keys representing the alphabetgenerally placed in the same order as they would appear on a standardkeyboard, such as in a standard QWERTY or a DVORAK keyboard layout. Theuse of a keyboard layout that is familiar to the user enables the userto immediately use the device without having to hunt for the keys he orshe wishes to use.

Although the layout is similar to a standard keyboard, the keys areplaced at an orientation 10 and in a particular shape that attempts tomaximize the surface area of the thumb hitting the key and to providethe user with a comfortable position of the hands for data input. Also,the orientation encourages input by the thumbs, which the inventors ofthe instant invention have discovered to be faster and more accurate insmall hand-held electronic devices than touch-typing or “hunting andpecking” typing.

An additional feature of the invention is the use of an additional inputmeans for control of functions that might otherwise be controlled by akeyboard that included function keys. To encourage data entry usingthumbs and again to minimize the number of keys on the keyboard, theinstant invention also includes a thumb-wheel for control of menus forselection of forms and functions relevant to data input. As discussedbelow, one of the data forms the thumbwheel is implemented toaccommodate is a special character set. The thumb-wheel is positioned inclose proximity to the keyboard to enable the easily transition fromthumb-based typing to thumb control of forms and functions.

In addition to hardware features that encourage optimal data entrythough the use of thumbs, there are several software features that aredesigned to minimize keystrokes and aid in entry of data.

The features of this invention, both individually and collectively, havenot, to the knowledge of the inventors, been applied to a smallhand-held electronic device that requires user-generated data entry. Topermit efficient operation of such devices while keeping the form factorof the device small enough to be worn on the body, there is a generalneed for a hand-held electronic device that can fit in the palm of thehand and that can be operated substantially with the thumbs.

There is a further need for a keyboard for a palm-size data entry devicewith keys placed at an angle to optimize operation of the keyboard bythe use of the thumbs.

There remains another need for a keyboard with keys that are shaped aridsized to maximize contact with the thumbs while minimizing the keyboardarea required for such keys.

There also remains a need for an auxiliary input device that is to beoperated by the thumb for data inputs forms and function control andthat, in conjunction with the keyboard, encourages and permits dataentry and management through input performed substantially by thethumbs.

There remains still another need for a software-implemented userinterface system that is designed, at least in part, to support andencourage data entry through use of the thumbs.

There remains another need for facilitating entry of special orinternational characters with the thumbs while limiting the keyboardarea.

There remains another need for automatically entering certain commonpunctuation thereby reducing repetitive key entry and increasing thespeed of data entry.

There remains another need for automatically entering certain commonphrases or electronic signatures without tediously typing the fullphrase or electronic signature.

There remains another need for easily removing automatic features whensuch features are not desired.

There remains another need for executing a set of common instructionsfor a particular task with a minimum of user data entry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the problems noted above and satisfiesthe needs in this field for a hand-held electronic device with akeyboard optimized for use with the thumbs in the preferred embodimentof the present invention, the hand-held electronic device is a two-waypaging or wireless email device (such as the Inter@ctive™ pagermanufactured and marketed by the assignee of the present invention) thatpermits full-text, two-way messaging such as email messaging. The devicemay also include standard PDA or PTA features such as an address book,an electronic calendar, a task list and other text-based features. Suchfeatures require user input of text strings that can be lengthy and thatcannot be reduced to pre-determined or “canned” strings. Thus, for sucha device, the efficient entry of data in a device meant to fit into thepalm of one's hand requires that two goals are achieved. First, the dataentry must be relatively easy from a user perspective. This means thatthe user must be somewhat familiar with analogous forms of data entryand not have to be trained to use the data entry for the hand-helddevice. Second, the form factor does not permit a large number of keysor keys that are very large. Thus, efficient use of the keyboard spaceis required and functions that might be able to be performed by astandard keyboard are off-loaded to an auxiliary input device or areperformed, through a normal number of keystrokes that encourage the useof thumb-based data entry.

To accomplish these goals, the invention first optimizes the placementof the keys on the device keyboard. In order to work within the limitedspace available for the keyboard, it was determined that it waspreferable to use keys that were oval or oblong and that were placed atangles designed to facilitate use by thumb typing. An angle for the keyson the right side of the keyboard and a complementary angle for the keyson the left side of the keyboard are chosen based upon observation ofthe angle at which a user will orient his or her thumbs whilethumb-typing.

The invention also minimizes the number of keys available or requiredfor data input. In the preferred embodiment, only keys for the 26letters of the English alphabet are available as well as a backspacekey, a line feed key, an “alt” key, a “cap” key and a space bar. The altkey enables the user in conjunction the other keys to input numbers andsymbols to perform certain functions. The placement of the keys isdesigned to enhance the user experience while typing with the thumbs bymeeting two seemingly opposite goals—minimizing the keyboard footprintwhile maximizing the likelihood that proper keys will be struck by thethumb-typing user.

Alternative embodiments could include fewer or more keys, including, forexample function keys or control keys. The form factor, however,generally limits the number of keys that may be implemented if the goalof facilitating thumb typing is to be met.

The invention also provides additional incentive for the user to usethumb input by providing an input device adjacent to the keyboard, butintegral to the overall hand-held device. Although other devices can beused in an auxiliary fashion, the preferred device is a thumbwheel thatregisters movement of the wheel by measuring the number of indentstraversed while rolling the wheel and that also registers as an inputthe depression or “clicking” of the wheel, which is performed bypressing the wheel toward the back of the pager. This clicking of thewheel is similar to the clicking of a mouse associated with a PC or anyother input device that registers the depression of a button. Thethumbwheel in the preferred embodiment is placed vertically on thetwo-way paging device so that the user can easily move his or her thumbfrom the thumbwheel to the keyboard and back for performing functionsand retrieving data forms, such as an email template or address bookentry template, for data entry.

Additionally, various software techniques can be implemented to enhancethe thumb-typing user's experience in using the device of the instantinvention in the preferred embodiment, for example, the user can changethe capitalization of a particular letter simply by keeping a keydepressed for a particular length of time without an intermittentrelease being detected by the keyboard controller.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided amethod of changing the character display of a key on a keyboard of ahandheld wireless communications device comprising the steps of:receiving a first input from a depression of a keyboard key, the firstinput defining a first character associated with the depressed keyboardkey; receiving a second input from an auxiliary input device inconjunction with the continual depression of the keyboard key;initiating of an altering character condition and processing thealtering character condition; and, modifying the first character andsubmitting for display a second character associated with the depressedkeyboard key.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided amethod of modifying the character display of a key on a keyboardcomprising the steps of: receiving a first input from a depression of akeyboard key, the first input associating a first character associatedwith the depressed keyboard key; initiating of an altering charactercondition upon a continual depression of the keyboard key beyond apredefined period of time; processing the altering character condition;and, modifying the first character and submitting for display a secondcharacter.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided ahandheld two-way wireless communications device optimally configured foruse with the thumbs of a user comprising, a keyboard; an auxiliary inputdevice positioned in relative proximity to the keyboard and controllogic circuitry associated with the auxiliary input device; a displaypositioned adjacent to the keyboard; a microprocessor to control theoperation of the device; and, a software application residing in thecommunications device for providing a plurality of thumb-basedoperational features, the software application initiating certainoperational features upon certain inputs from the keyboard or theauxiliary input device.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided ahand-held two-way wireless communications device optimally configuredfor use with the thumbs of a user comprising: a keyboard having a firstset of keys and a second set of keys, wherein the first set of keys ispositioned a positive predetermined degree relative to a verticalreference and the second set of keys is positioned a negativepredetermined degree relative to the vertical reference; an auxiliaryinput device positioned in relative proximity to the keyboard; a displaypositioned adjacent to the keyboard; software residing in thecommunications device for providing functionality to inputs receivedfrom the auxiliary input device and the keyboard.

According yet to another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a handheld two-way wireless communications device as describedabove, and having an auxiliary input device comprising a thumbwheel in avertical orientation at the front of the device. In an alternativeembodiment, the thumbwheel is inclined from the vertical orientation.The inclined thumbwheel is more easily accessible to either the thumb orindex finger of a user's hand at the side edge of the device. Moreover,the easier accessibility allows the user to advantageously hold andoperate the device in different ways, namely: a single-handed operationand a two-handed operation.

The primary advantage of the present invention is that it enablesefficient and user friendly data entry into a palm-sized electronicdevice by maximizing the potential for user data entry through thumbtyping.

These are just a few of the many advantages of the present invention, asdescribed in more detail below. As will be appreciated, the invention iscapable of other and different embodiments and its several details arecapable of modifications in various respects, all without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptionof the preferred embodiment set forth bellow are to be regarded asillustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention satisfies the needs note above as will becomeapparent from the following description when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a two-way, full-text, messaging deviceincorporating a keyboard and an auxiliary data entry device;

FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the hand-held device showing the shape andplacement of the keys on the keyboard and the auxiliary input device;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of showing the shape, size and placement of the keyson the keyboard;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the control circuitry for the thumbwheel;

FIG. 5 is a general flow diagram of the major steps of thekeyboard-related aspect of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a general block diagram of the major subsystems involved inthe process described in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a general flow diagram of the major steps of thethumbwheel-related aspect of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a general block diagram of the major subsystems involved inthe process described in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a hand-held device comprisingan alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a view taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a front view of parts of the device of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 13 is a view taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the majorsubsystems and elements comprising a palm-sized, mobile, two-waymessaging device that preferably incorporates the invention. In itsbroadest terms, the messaging device includes a transmitter/receiversubsystem 100 connected to a DSP 200 for digital signal processing ofthe incoming and outgoing data transmissions, power supply andmanagement subsystem 300, which supplies and manages power to theoverall messaging device components, microprocessor 400, which ispreferably an X86 architecture processor, that controls the operation ofthe messaging device, display 500, which is 5 preferably a full graphicLCD, FLASH memory 600, RAM 700, serial output and port 800, keyboard900, thumbwheel 1000 and thumbwheel control logic 1010. In its intendeduse, a message comes via a wireless data network, such as the Mobitexnetwork, into subsystem 100, where it is demodulated via DSP 200 anddecoded and presented to microprocessor 300 for display on display 500.To access the display of the message, the user may choose from functionslisted under a menu presented as a result of user interaction withthumbwheel 1000. If the message is an email message, the user may choseto respond to the email by selecting “Reply” from a menu presented onthe display through interaction via thumbwheel 1000 or via menu,selection from keyboard 900. In typing the reply, the user can usekeyboard 900 to type full text message replies, or insert predeterminedor “canned” response by using either a particular keystroke pattern orthrough pulling down predetermined text strings from a menu of itemspresented on display 500 through the use of thumbwheel 1000. When thereply to the message is composed, the user can initiate the sending ofthe message preferably by interaction through thumbwheel 1000, oralternatively, with less efficiency, through a combination of keyboard900 keystrokes. When the microprocessor 300 receives an indication thatthe message is to be sent, it processes the message for transport and,by directing and communicating with transmitter/receiver subsystem 100,enables the reply message to be sent via the wireless communicationsdata network to the intended recipient. Similar interaction through I/Odevices keyboard 900 and thumbwheel 1000 can be used to initiatefull-text messages or to forward messages to another party. Also, thekeyboard 900 and thumbwheel 1000 can be used to permit data entry to anaddress book resident on the messaging device, or an electronic calendaror log book, or any other function on the messaging device requiringdata entry. Preferably, the thumbwheel is a thumbwheel with a pushbutton SPST with quadrature signal outputs, such as that manufactured byMatsushita Electronic Components Co.'s, Ltd. as part number EVQWK2001.

FIG. 2 is a front view of messaging device 10 that incorporates theinvention. The device 10 is shown in FIG. 2 in the ordinaryoperating/viewing position in which it would be held by and between theuser's hands at the left and right side edges 12 and 14 of the device10. The keyboard 900 is thus elongated horizontally across the front 16of the device 10. Shown in FIG. 2 are a plurality of letter keys 901,and specialized keys 902, 903, 904 and 905 and space bar 906. Also shownis the thumbwheel 1000 in its vertical orientation at the front side 16of the device 10 in association with display 500 and keyboard 900. By“vertical” it is meant that the thumbwheel 1000 is oriented with itscircular opposite sides 1002 and 1004 in vertical planes when the device10 is viewed directly from the front in the ordinary operating/viewingposition, as shown in FIG. 2. The axis 1005 of rotation then extendsfrom left to right across the device 10 as a horizontal line parallel tothe lengthwise direction of the keyboard 900. The thumbwheel 1000 canroll about the axis 1005 up toward the upper edge 20 of the device 10 ordown toward the lower edge 22 of the device 10. In the preferredembodiment, 902 is the alt key, 903 is the cap key, 904 is the line feed(blank space) key and 905 is the backspace key.

FIG. 3 is a view of a subset of the letter keys 901, showing thedimensions and relative position of the keys. Shown also is the point950 that marks the center of keyboard 900, key dimensions 970, 971, 972and 973, as well as angle 960 and the rho value 965, representingcurvature of a letter key 901. In investigating optimal key placement onthe keyboard, it was determined that the keys should be placed at anangle 960 relative to vertical that facilitated easy typing usingthumbs. As described above with reference to the thumbwheel 1000,“vertical” is the direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction ofthe keyboard 900 when the device 10 is viewed in its ordinaryoperating/viewing position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. That angle ispreferably positive 40 degrees relative to vertical for keys on theright side of the keyboard (where 950 is the center of the keyboard) andnegative 40 degrees for the keys on the left side of the keyboard,although complementary angles ranging from 20 degrees to 70 degreescould also be used to accomplish the goal, albeit less optimally, offacilitating thumb typing. Also as shown on FIGS. 2 and 3, the keys aredispersed across keyboard 900 evenly so that there is sufficient spacebetween the keys to decrease the opportunity for multiple keys beingdepressed while thumb typing. Additionally, the keys are sizeappropriately given the footprint of the messaging device and thekeyboard 900. In its preferred embodiment, the messaging device 10measures across its face 64 mm by 89 mm, which does not leave much roomfor keyboard 900 and display 500. In the preferred embodiment, keyboard900 occupies over half of the face of the messaging device 10.

The key shape and dimensions are also key components of the invention.In order to maximize the surface area of the key that a thumb would hit,the keys are preferably oval, and have a rho 965 defining the curvatureof the key of 0.414, although values may range higher or lower. Otherrho values will lead to an acceptable, but not as optimal oraesthetically pleasing shape of keys 901. As to the key dimensions, thewidth 970 of the key 901 is 4.8 millimeters (971 representing the radiusof half that value, 2.4 min) and the length (or height) 972 of the key901 is 7 millimeters (973 representing the radius of half that value,3.5 mm).

FIG. 4 is the logic circuitry 1010 associated with thumbwheel 1000.Thumbwheel 1000 outputs quadrature signals phase A 1021 and phase B1022, which are processed by D flip-flops 1031 and 1032 to presentsignals 1041 W_UP and 1042 W_DN to microprocessor 400. Signals 1041 and1042 represent, respectively, a user rolling the thumbwheel up androlling the thumbwheel down. Preferably, another detectable inputmovement from the thumbwheel is desirable. One such input movementimplementation would produce an additional input signal derived frompushing the thumbwheel toward the rear of the device. Hence, thethumbwheel of the present invention has preferably measurable rotatableand depressible input movements. Although the description that followsis specifically relating to a thumbwheel input device, it is to beunderstood that other suitable thumb-based auxiliary input deviceshaving multiple input detectable movements are envisioned and wellwithin tie scope and spirit of the present invention.

In a broad aspect of the invention, input via keys on the keyboard inconjunction with software residing in the flash memory 600 alsofacilitates the device's operation with the user's thumbs. In anotherbroad aspect of the invention, input via the thumbwheel 1000 and a keyon the keyboard in conjunction with software residing in the lash memory600 further increases the ease, performance, and functionality of thedevice. These two broad aspects and their specific embodiments will nowbe described.

FIG. 5 is a general flow diagram of the major steps 2080 of theaforesaid keyboard related aspect of the invention. The first step 2000is the input via depressing of a key having a predefined functionalstate in combination with another key on a keyboard. Depending on thecombination of keys depressed, an altering functional state condition isthen initiated at step 2020. The altering functional state condition isprocessed at step 2030. Next, the predefined functional state of the keyis modified at 2040. In step 2050, the modified functional state isinterpreted, and information is displayed accordingly at 2060.

FIG. 6 is a general block diagram of the major subsystems involved inthe process described in FIG. 5. In the preferred embodiment of thedevice, when a key is depressed its predefined functional state 901 isgiven to the microprocessor 400 and then to the operating system 910.The operating system is responsible for accepting and dispatching to aspecialized application 915 any user input and for providing services tocontrol the display. The modifying step is achieved by a user interfacesoftware engine 930 processing the altering functional state condition905 received from the operating system 910 via a specialized application915. The modified functional state 905′ is Then passed to the operatingsystem 910. The operating system then acts on the information in apredetermined manner so as to produce a display 906′ representing themodified functional stage of the depressed key.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, there is a plurality ofspecialized applications 915 that manage different major features of thedevice. In such a preferred embodiment, the device would include thefollowing specialized applications: a graphical ribbon application,message compose application, transport application, address bookapplication, device options application, cryptographic application anddatabase application. Other applications are well within the scope andspirit of this aspect of the invention. The applications functiondirectly with the operating system while the user interface engine(albeit another application), in general, provides further specializedfunctional services to these applications. The user interface enginecomprises, in essence, a plurality of modules each nodule executing atleast one different function, and either alone or in combination withanother module, providing additional functionality to the applicationsthat use its services. For instance, the user interface engine providesan input field that other applications such as the message composeapplication can use to display user input. Additionally, the userinterface engine receives, stores, manages and outputs data in aconsistent manner to readily perform the various specific features to bedescribed below. This scheme has proven to be very advantageous in viewof the fact the operating system and the specialized applications maythen be limited in their coding overhead and hence allows them to bevery robust. Some of the unique functions will be described in moredetail below.

Keypad Aspect Generally

The process logic detail is now described for any keypad event-resultingfrom user input.

When any key on the device is depressed, a keypad event containing theparameters of the particular key is communicated to the microprocessor.In this instance, “any key” includes the thumbwheel in addition to thekeys on the keyboard. Preferably, the parameters indicate that a keypadevent has occurred and which key has been depressed. The microprocessorcommunicates the keypad event information to the operating system. Theoperating system takes this keypad event information and notifies aspecialized application of the keypad event information. Since,preferably, the specialized application is blocked waiting for such akeypad event, the application is awakened, examines the keypad eventinformation, and passes the keypad event information to the userinterface engine for further processing. In essence, the keypad eventinformation is passed to the user interface engine from the operatingsystem via the specialized application: the specialized application inthis case acts as a conduit for information flow. In other instances,the specialized application may pre-process the keypad event informationbefore passing the same to the user interface engine. Based on thekeypad event information provided to the user interface engine, the userinterface engine then acts in a predetermined functional manner. Thepre-determined functional manner preferably includes processing thekeypad event information and updating stored display data so as toprovide output instruction data. The user interface engine submits theoutput instruction data to the operating system. The operating systemthen acts according to the instructions in the instruction data, in mostcases, by submitting for display a representation of the keypad event.The output instruction data would preferably include instructions as towhere characters are to be displayed within the display and a charactercode reference value indicating which character should be displayed onthe display. In other cases, a plurality of character code referencesmay be provided for producing a display of a string of characters. Thepreferred character code reference is the standard Latin One Code Set.The operation, system would simply execute the instructions by mappingthe appropriate characters from its internal bitmap of characters intothe appropriate locations on the display.

Auxiliary Input Device Aspect

FIG. 7 is a general flow diagram of the major steps of the auxiliaryinput device-related aspect of the invention The process 2080′ beginswith a first input 2000′ via the depressing of a key on a keyboardhaving a predefined functional state. Next, a second input 2010′ fromthe auxiliary input device in conjunction with the depression of the keyis provided. This combined effect of the first and second inputinitiates an altering functional state condition step 2020′. Thealtering functional state condition is processed 2030′ and thepredefined functional state of the key is modified 2040′. The modifiedfunctional state is then submitted 2050′ for display. Additionalmodified functional stales are accomplished by receiving further inputs2060′ from the auxiliary input device while the depressed key iscontinued to be depressed. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the majorsubsystem involved in the process described in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is similarto FIG. 6 save for input from the auxiliary input device subsystem nowcontributing to the altering functional state condition. This aspect ofthe present invention has proven extremely useful in optimizing thefunctionality of the handheld device by operation of the device withonly the user's thumbs.

International Character-Scrolling Feature

Turning now to a specific embodiment of the aforesaid auxiliary inputdevice-related aspect of the invention, the user interface engine, thethumbwheel and at least one key on the keyboard may be utilized toinsert international characters into a user input field such as theinput field provided by the user interface engine in general andpreferably, the user first presses and holds down a key with the desiredassociated international characters while the thumbwheel is rolled. Foreach rolled input from the thumbwheel, a different internationalcharacter associated with the depressed key is outputted on the displayas a substitute for the previous character displayed. There ispreferably a plurality of international characters or symbols associatedwith every key on the keyboard. When the desired character is displayed,the user releases the depressed key and the desired character remains onthe display. Traditional means to select such international charactersrequire a number of additional input steps or the availability ofadditional keys on the keyboard—requirements undesirable with thepresent handheld device.

With reference to FIG. 8, the international character-scrolling featurebegins with the depression of a key on the keyboard 900 in conjunctionwith input from the thumbwheel 1010. The input from the thumbwheel ispreferably accomplished by rolling the thumbwheel in either the up ordown direction. The combined effect of inputs 901 from the key and thethumbwheel produce an altering functional state condition or a specialkeypad event 905. The parameters associated with this special keypadevent 90 include data descriptors that will indicate whether thethumbwheel was either rolled up or down and which key on the keyboardwas depressed. The user interface engine 930 processes the specialkeypad event information by indexing through an array containingreferences to the international characters associated with the depressedkey. The processing incrementally indexes up or down the array(depending on the thumbwheel scroll direction parameter), scares thecurrent array position where the indexing stopped and retrieves thecharacter reference code information stored in the current arrayposition. Preferably, at each index increment, output instruction 905′is submitted to the operating system 910 for display on the display 500.The output instruction preferably includes the reference character codeand the location of the character to be displayed on the display. Basedon this output instruction, the operating system outputs at theappropriate location a bitmap image 906′ for a given reference code fromits internal bitmap. If the user chooses to see the next internationalcharacter associated with the depressed key, the user 20 provides anadditional rolling input while continuing to depress the key. Thisproduces a second special keypad event thereby initiating the alteringfunctional state process. Consequently, the above process is related.The user interlace engine processes the keypad parameters from thesecond special keypad event by further indexing in the appropriatedirection by one element from the previously store position within thearray. Again, the user interface engine submits to the operating systemsufficient information to display the next associated internationalcharacter retrieved from the array. Further inputs from the thumbwheelwould simply repeat the processing until all international charactersassociated with the depressed key are indexed through after which timethe indexing returns to the top of the array.

Although the above description refers to modifying the default characterof the key depressed with an international character it is to beunderstood that the application of this aspect of the invention canequally be applied to modifying the functional state of the depressedkey. For instance, a certain special keypad event defined by a certainkey depressed in conjunction with input received from the thumbwheelcould trigger a macro to be executed thereby altering the functionalstate of the depressed key. In this instance, a macro is a singleinstruction provided by the scrolling feature that expands automaticallyinto a set of instructions to perform a particular task. In anotherinstance, the altered functional state of a key could produce any one ofthe following: a larger font for the display; change the default fonttype; change subsequent text to bold or italics; cause certain text toblink in a received email transmission; and reverse image certain textin another instance, the altered the functional state of a key couldprovide the user with “canned” or pre-set messages that could be readilybe used for the purposes of quickly responding to a received message. Inanother instance, the context of the current active display area of thedevice may either add, or alternatively, suppress, associated alteredstates. For example, when a user is in the reply-to-message screendisplay, depression of the letter “M” with the scrolling input from thethumbwheel would produce an ellipsis or the display as the alteredfunctional state. In contrast, the same key and thumbwheel sequencewould instead result in a macro sequence to execute in the optionsscreen display.

Capitalization

Turning to another software-related feature that aids in the device 10being optimally used for thumb typing is a capitalization featureimplemented via software. If a user depresses a key 901, the operatingsystem detects a key down event. If the key is released after a periodof time, the operating system detects a key up event. If after a keydown event, a certain period of time elapses before a key up event isdetected, the operating system determines that a key repeat event hasoccurred representing a situation where a user has continued to depressa key without releasing it. A key repeat event is then treated byapplication software residing in either flash 600 as an event thatrequests the capitalization of the key previously depressed. Thisfeature disables the key repeat feature and substitutes instead acapitalization feature based on the length of a key press. The timing ofthe key scanning to determine whether a key has been released can be setto permit a slower keyboard response or a faster keyboard response,depending upon user experience of preferences.

Although the capitalization function preferably works only to change thestate of a letter to a capital, it alternatively could operate to changea capital letter to a lower case letter. The actual display image ischanged by the operating system mapping appropriate bitmapped charactersas instructed by the user inter-race engine. As alternativelyimplemented, the continued depressing without release of a letter keycould result in a key oscillating between upper case and lower case,depending on the length of time the key is depressed.

Automatic Formatting Features

Now follows a description of another software-related aspect of thepresent invention that is implemented to specifically minimize thenumber of keystrokes required as input by the user in using the device.In some cases, two software engines handle this software-related aspect,namely the user interface engine and an autotext engine. The userinterface engine by using the above mentioned functional modulesfacilitates presenting common interface elements such as menus, listsand textboxes. The autotext engine is another software application thatextends the user interface engine and makes use of a database to performtext insertions and other related activities. The autotext engine ispreferably implemented as a user interface engine element (such as achoice box or list or standard edit element). This arrangement of beinga user interface engine element allows specialized applications toincorporate a buffer that performs autotext substitution as they would astandard input field. However, because of the substantive amount of codeassociated with the autotext engine and the engine's need to beconfigured with a list of replacement strings, the engine is preferablyimplemented as a separate module. One specific advantage that flows fromthe specific embodiments of the engines as described herein is thatthere is a substantial reduction of input formatting b)/the user, sinceautomatic formatting can be triggered by a small number of keystrokes,or by predefined key sequences entered one key at a time.

Autopunctuation

Another embodiment of the user interface engine is the “autopunctuation”feature of the device. If the user enters one of a number of predefinedcharacter sequences, the user interface engine will automatically inserta period (full stop) in the user input field. in this manner the userdoes not nee! to use the alt key to enter a period. An example of onesuch character sequence would be <character><space><space>, after suchcharacter sequence the user interface engine will instruct the operatingsystem to replace the first <space> with a full stop and to capitalizethe next character entered by tie user. For clarity, in thisdescription: <space> represents a blank space user input; <character>represents any character user input; and, <period> represents user inputof the character “.”. Because of bandwidth considerations when thedevice transmits data to the wireless network, it is preferable thatonly one space, instead of two, is present between the period and thefirst character of the next sentence. Alternatively implemented, insteadof replacing the first <space> in the aforesaid character sequence, aperiod is inserted after the <character> and the next character enteredby the user is capitalized thereby producing two spaces between theperiod and the next character. In another embodiment of thisautopunctuation feature, if the user enters one of a number ofpredefined character sequences that is used as a capitalization signal,such as <period><space>, the user interface engine will-process theevent and capitalize the next character entered by the user.

Alternatively implemented, the predefined character sequence could be<period><space><space>. To further enhance this feature, autopunctuationcan be undone easily, as described bellow.

Character Substitution

Another embodiment of the user interface engine is the “intelligentcharacter substitution” feature of the device. In fields designed forcertain types of input, the user interface engine will automaticallysubstitute appropriate characters if inappropriate characters areentered. For example, in a field designed to hold an email address, amethod of composing an email address is provided by the charactersubstitution feature of the present invention for email address tackingon the general form. <characters>@<characters>.<characters>. In theinstance, it is assumed blank spaces are unacceptable characters for anemail address field. The method begins with the user interface enginereceiving from user input a character set representing a certain portionof the email address. If a first delimiter trigger signal, preferably afirst blank space, is received froze the user input, the engine confirmsthat no at-sign character (“@”) has been entered in the already receivedcharacter set. If no, the engine substitutes the first delimiter triggersignal with a first email delimiter, preferably the at-sign character.If yes, the engine substitutes the first delimiter with a second emaildelimiter, preferably a period character. For any subsequent blank spaceinput received, the engine substitutes preferably another periodcharacter.

Another example of the character substitution feature occurs whenentering data in a field designed to hold numeric data. If the userpresses an alphabetic key whose corresponding alt character is anumeral, the user interface engine will recognize this and instruct theoperating system to automatically insert the numeral into the field,even if the user had not pressed the alt key.

Phrase Substitution

The first embodiment of the autotext engine provides an applicationservice for error correction and phrase substitution. By entering pairsof strings into an autotext database, the user can associate “originalstrings” with “replacement strings”. The autotext engine also defines anautotext input meld that applications may use to access thefunctionality of the autotext engine. The autotext input field may be ofvariable length typically up to the length of an email message. As theuser is entering data into an autotext input field, each time a space isentered, the autotext engine will search backwards from the currentcursor position to extract the last word from the autotext input field.The autotext engine will then efficiently search through the autotextdatabase for an original string that exactly matches the last word. Ifsuch a string is found, the last word in the autotext input field willautomatically be replaced with the corresponding replacement string fromthe database.

This phrase substitution feature could be used to correct common typingerrors (for example, “the” could be automatically converted to “the”) orto facilitate the entry of common phrases (for example, “fyi” could beautomatically converted to “for your information”). This feature couldalso automatically insert a regularly used international character orsymbol in a message thereby reducing the instances when theinternational character-scrolling feature needs to be used. In thislatter scenario, the original string could be “jr” and the associatedreplacement string could be “Jürgen”. The international character wouldbe entered as described before for the international character scrollingfeature.

The phrase substitution feature could advantageously be used orelectronic signatures to be appended to the end of an email messagecomposed by the user on the device. Advantageously, a variety ofdifferent electronic signatures can be stored in the autotext database.In this manner, the user may chose the appropriate signature from hisset of signatures for the particular context of the email message aboutto be transmitted. For instance, in one case the user in an informalmessage may sign off “Take Care & Cheers” with the original string “tc”while in a legally sensitive message the same user may sign off“Solicitor-Client Privileged Communication” with the original string“scp”. In this manner, there is no need for any electronic signaturefield insertion at the gateway of the wireless network and the user mayamend and modify his electronic signatures without network interaction.In the preferred embodiment, the replacement string is case sensitive inthat any preset capitalization in the replacement string appears whendisplayed and cannot be forced into a lower case by the case status ofthe original string. However, if the first character of the originalstring is tipper case, then preferably the first character of thereplacement is forced into an upper case as well.

In another embodiment, the autotext engine preferably includes a macrofunctionality that allows a user to specify special character codes inthe replacement string that will be treated specially when thereplacement string is entered into the autotext engine. These codes arepreferably divided into two distinct sets: control character codes anddynamic data codes.

In the control character code situation, some character sequences in thereplacement string will be converted to control characters when theoriginal string is replaced by the substitution feature. Examples ofthese sequences would be “% b” and “% B” which convert to a backspacecharacter and a delete character respectively. Therefore, for an openbracket “(” to be displayed, the original string could be defined as“br” and the replacement string as “(% 3”. Likewise, for a close bracket“)”, the original string could be “rb” and the replacement string “%b)”.

In the dynamic data code situation, certain character sequences in thereplacement string will be converted to dynamic data when the originalstring is replaced. Examples of these sequences would be “% t” and “% d”wherein the codes are converted into the current time and current daterespectively.

Like the intelligent character substitution feature, autotextreplacement can be undone easily, as described bellow.

Undo Feature

As mentioned above, all automatic formatting features of the userinterface and autotext engines such as autocapitalization,autopunctuation and phrase substitution may be overridden by what isreferred to the “easy undo” feature herein. The automatic formattingfeatures have undo capabilities that are triggered by backspacing over asignificant character. As such, if the user backspaces over one of thesesignificant characters, the formatted data is replaced with the raw dataas it existed prior to automatic formatting.

For instance, the user may type “fyi” into an autotext input field suchone implemented in 0 the message compose screen. If then the user types<space> and “fyi” is in the autotext database, the autotext engine willreplace “fyi” with “for your information” in the input field as earlierdescribed in phrase substitution. If the user does not desire thissubstitution, the user can preferably backspace over the last characterof the displayed string “for your information”. Consequently, theautotext engine will restore the contents of the input field to “fyi” asthey were prior to the phrase substitution formatting operation. In thisinstance, the significant character was the last character “n” in thephrase “for your information”.

If the user types a sequence of characters that results in an automaticformatting operation, and backspaces to activate the easy undo feature,the appropriate engine will retain the fact that an undo operation tookplace at that significant character position. Consequently, if the userretypes the same sequence of characters, then the automatic formattingwill not be applied for a second time. This allows the user to suppressan automatic formatting feature when desired.

For example the user may suppress the autopunctuation feature frominserting a fill stop automatically. As described above, if the usertypes <space><space> in an input field, a full stop will be inserted bythe user interface engine for the first <space>. If the user does notdesire a full stop in that location, the user would then backspace overthe full stop character and retype <space><space>. The user interfaceengine will not replace the full stop as it did the first time.

Navigation Aids

The device software provides a number of navigation aids for most userinput tasks. The navigation aids maximize the likelihood that there willbe a graphical interface that the user finds intuitive. The aids allowmost input tasks to be performed completely using either the keyboard orthe thumbwheel. The navigation aids are preferably incorporated intochoice boxes and menus of the device software. A choice box is graphicalinterface wherein only one selection is displayed at one tune. The otherpossible selections are displayed one at a time by a navigation means. Amenu, on the other hand, is a graphical interface wherein all selectionsfor a particular input are displayed at one time. There are otherinstances where the navigation aids may be used and such applicationsare within the scope of the invention.

As a first aid, the user may cycle through all available options in achoice box by pressing the space bar. For instance, in a box containingthe months of the year, pressing the space bar repeatedly will changethe selection from “January” to “February” to “arch”, etc. A keypadevent, defined by the location of the cursor being in a choice box andthe depression of the space bar, would trigger the altering functionalstate process. As a result, the user interface engine would process theevent by indexing though a choice array associated with the choice boxand provide to the operating system instructions to display the nextavailable option.

As a second aid, the user may also cycle through the data by pressing acontrol key and rolling the thumbwheel. The control key is preferablythe “alt” key 902. Other control keys are possible and within the scopeof the invention. This navigation method allows more flexibility for theuser because the user can cycle through data in either direction in thechoice array. This navigation is similar to the aforesaid internationalcharacter-scrolling embodiment. instead of international charactersassociated with the key depressed, the software displays a list ofoptions. Preferably, in the downward scrolling direction, the userinterface engine will move through the list of choices in the samedirection as it would have if the space bar had been pressed. In theupward scrolling direction, the user interface engine will movebackwards through the list of choices (e.g. “March” to “February” to“January”, etc.). Hence, the alt Key's defined function of producing for2 0 display an alternate character for a key has been altered by thekeypad event triggered by the thumbwheel and the alt key inputs. In thecase of a menu display, the user can move the cursor between items inthe menu by depressing a character key. If a menu item exists beginningwith the character, the cursor will be positioned automatically over thefirst item in the menu beginning with that character. If there aremultiple menu items beginning with that character, pressing the keyrepeatedly will cycle it through those menu items. When the cursor ispositioned over the desired item, the user can select it by pressing theEnter key. If the user decides that he does not want to select any menuitem, but instead return to his previous position in the application, hecan again select the “Hide Menu” item or press the backspace key, andthe menu will be dismissed.

Another navigation aid is available when the cursor is positioned over aspecific choice box that changes options by allowing the user to cyclethrough the options in the choice box by only rolling up or down withoutdepressing the alt key. Similarly, when a menu is displayed, the usercan move the cursor up or down in the menu by rolling the thumbwheel,respectively, up or down. When the cursor is positioned over the desiredmenu item, the user can select it by pressing the roller wheel towardthe back of the device (called clicking the wheel). If the user decidesthat he does not want to select any menu item, but instead desires toreturn to his previous position in the application, preferably, he canselect the “Hide Menu” item, and the menu will be dismissed. Preferably,the user can also dismiss the menu by pressing the backspace key.

Another navigation aid utilizes the uniqueness of the first character ofeach choice listed in a choice box. If the user depresses a key andthere exists a possible choice beginning with the character representedby the key, that choice will automatically be selected without anyfurther input required by the user. if there are multiple choicesbeginning with that letter, pressing the key repeatedly will cyclethrough the available choices. For example, in a month choice box,pressing “j” will first select “January”, then “June” and then “July”.Alternatively implemented, rapid keystrokes could result in a narrowersearch. For instance, rapidly pressing “ju” would result in “June” andthen “July”.

Thumbwheel Orientation

As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the communications device10 has a vertical thumbwheel 1000. As shown in FIGS. 9-12, analternative embodiment of the invention comprises a device 4000 with aninclined thumbwheel 4002.

Like the device 10, the device 4000 is a hand-held communications devicewhich, as viewed directly from the front in FIG. 9, has an ordinaryoperating/viewing position in which it is normally held by and betweenthe user's left and right hands at the left and right side edges 4004and 4006 of the device 4000. The keyboard 4008 is thus elongatedhorizontally across the front 4010 of the device 4000 at a locationbetween the display 4012 and the lower edge 4014 of the device 4000.Further like the device 10, the device 4000 includes a microprocessorwith a software application for providing a plurality of thumb-basedoperational features upon certain inputs from the keyboard 4008 and thethumbwheel 4002, as described above.

The housing 4020 of the device 4000 has front and rear sections 4022 and4024. The thumbwheel 4002 projects outward through a slot-shaped opening4026 in the front section 4022 of the housing 4020. The opening 4026interrupts the corner of the housing 4020 between the front 4010 and theright side edge 4006 of the device 4000, and is elongated lengthwise ofthe right side edge 4006. The opening 4026 is thus configured to provideclearance for the thumbwheel 4002 to project from both the front 4010and the right side edge 4006 of the device 4000 in its inclinedorientation. This places the peripheral surface 4030 of the thumbwheel4002 in an orientation in which it is clearly visible from directly infront of the device 4000 when a user holds the device 4000 in itsordinary operating/viewing position, as shown in FIG. 9. Importantly,the peripheral surface 4030 of the thumbwheel 4002 is easily accessible,i.e., reachable, by the right thumb at the front 4010 of the device andalso by the right index finger when the device is held, preferably, inthe palms of two hands. Also, the peripheral surface 4030 of thethumbwheel 4002 is accessible by the right thumb at, for instance, theright side edge 4006 of the device when the device is held in one hand.The present invention provides optimum positioning between avertically-aligned thumbwheel and horizontally-aligned thumbwheel;thereby, allowing the user to operate the thumbwheel in either asingle-hand operation or two-handed operation.

As best shown in FIG. 11, the thumbwheel 4002 is inclined at a specifiedangle A from the vertical orientation of the thumbwheel 1000 (FIG. 2).The angle A is preferably 70 degrees. With its axis 4031 of rotation inthis orientation, the thumbwheel 4002 can roll up toward the upper end4032 of the device 4000, and down toward the lower end 4014, in a mannersimilar to the up and down rolling movement of the thumbwheel 1000.However, the rolling movement of the thumbwheel 4002 further hasdirectional components extending across the front 4010 of the device4000 between the opposite side edges 4004 and 4006 as a result of itsinclination from the vertical orientation of the thumbwheel 1000. Thisenhances the ability of the user to manipulate the thumbwheel 4002 witheither the thumb or index finger of the right hand.

A structure for supporting the thumbwheel 4002 within the housing 4020is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. An important advantage of the inclinedthumbwheel 4002 is that thickness of the housing (i.e., the distancebetween the front surface 4010 and the rear surface 4011) is minimized;thereby, allowing the overall dimensions of the device 4000 to besleeker than if the thumbwheel 4026 were vertically positioned. Thesupporting structure includes a rollerwheel switch assembly 5000 and aprinted circuit board (PCB) 5002. These parts 5000 and 5002 areconfigured to interconnect the thumbwheel 4002 operatively with the mainPCB 5004 (shown schematically in FIG. 11).

The PCB 5002 has first and second portions 5006 and 5008. The twoportions 5006 and 5008 of the PCB 5002 are inclined relative to eachother at a specified angle B which is complementary to the angle A ofFIG. 11. In the preferred embodiment, the angle B is 20 degrees. Therollerwheel switch assembly 5000 supports the thumbwheel 4002 on thefirst portion 5006 of the PCB 5002 for rotation about the axis 4031, asindicated by the R arrows 4034, and also for clicking input movement ina direction perpendicular to the axis 4031, as indicated by the C arrows4033 shown in FIG. 12. An additional advantage of the present inventionis the ability to execute the clicking input movement in a plurality ofangular positions of the user's thumb or index finger as illustrated bythe input arrows F 4032 and associated angles D, D′, and D″ in FIG. 13.All that is required to engage the rollerwheel switch assembly 5000 toacknowledge a clicking input movement is sufficient force in thedirection perpendicular to the axis 4031. In this manner, some of theadditional advantages described above relating to easy access via asingle-hand or a dual-hand mode operation of the device 4000 is furtherenhanced. The plurality of angular positions by which the user mayengage the thumbwheel 4002 for input allows for greater freedom andergonomic flexibility for the user. Such freedom and ergonomicflexibility is not found in traditional handheld devices having athumbwheel. An escape switch 5010 also is mounted on the first portion5006 of the PCB 5002, and is actuatable by a button 5012 (FIG. 9) in aknown manner. A connector 5014 is mounted on the second portion 5008 ofthe thumbwheel PCB 5002 to connect the second portion 5008 directly withthe main PCB 5004 in an orientation parallel to the main PCB 5004. Thefirst portion 5006 of the thumbwheel PCB 5002 then supports thethumbwheel 4002 in the inclined orientation described above.

Having described in detail the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, including the preferred methods of operation, it is to beunderstood that the preferred embodiments are presented only by way ofexample and are not meant to limit the scope of the present inventionthat is defined by the following claims.

1. A method of inputting an E-mail address into a communication device,the E-mail address having three text fields, the method comprising: (A)inputting a first set of text characters associated with a first textfield of the E-mail address; (B) inputting a first delimiter, the firstdelimiter comprising a character predefined as unacceptable of the firsttext field, wherein the first delimiter comprising the unacceptablecharacter of the first text field operates as a trigger to cause for thesubstitution of an at-sign symbol (@) for the first delimiter; (C)appending the at-sign symbol (@) to the first text field; (D) inputtinga second set of text characters associated with a second text field ofthe E-mail address; (E) inputting a second delimiter, the seconddelimiter comprising a character predefined as unacceptable of thesecond text field, wherein the second delimiter comprising theunacceptable character of the second text field operates as a trigger tocause for the substitution of a period symbol (.) for the seconddelimiter; (F) appending the period symbol (.) to the second text field;and (G) inputting a third set of text characters associated with a thirdtext field of the E-mail address.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst delimiter is a blank space delimiter input by selecting a spacebar associated with the communication device.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the first and second delimiters are blank space delimiters inputby selecting a space bar associated with the communication device. 4.The method of claim 3 wherein the second email delimiter comprises aperiod character.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising inputtinga third delimiter, the third delimiter comprising a character predefinedas unacceptable of the third text field, wherein the third delimiter andunacceptable character of the third text field operate as a trigger tocause character substitution of the third delimiter.
 6. The method ofclaim 5 further comprising appending the period symbol (.) to the thirdtext field.
 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising inputting afourth set of text characters associated with a fourth text field of theE-mail address.
 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising substitutinga second email delimiter for the second user-input delimiter trigger ifthe first user-input delimiter has already been entered into the emailaddress.